Strands September 24, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1122)
Recap
This puzzle featured a theme related to outdoor play areas and structures, with a spangram that was a common term for the area where these structures are often found.
The official theme clue
Just outside your door
Printed above the board in the app itself that day — the line that decided which of the many words hiding in the grid actually counted.
Strands hints, one rung at a time
Six rungs, softest first. The recap above already named the answers, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the board fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.
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Hint 1: What the theme was getting at
A reading of the theme. No answers.
The theme is about outdoor play areas and structures found near one's residence.
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Category of outdoor play structures and areas
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Hint 3: Board facts: how many words, how long
Counted off the grid.
The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 6 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran side to side and was 8 letters long.
- Theme word 1
- 4 letters
- Theme word 2
- 4 letters
- Theme word 3
- 7 letters
- Theme word 4
- 6 letters
- Theme word 5
- 10 letters
- Theme word 6
- 9 letters
- Spangram
- 8 letters, side to side
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Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Simple play structure often made of fabric or wood
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
Water feature for cooling off during warm weather
Theme word 3 (7 letters)
Container filled with sand for children's creative play
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
Suspended seats for kids to play on outdoors
Theme word 5 (10 letters)
Springy device for bouncing and playing high
Theme word 6 (9 letters)
Elevated structure built in a tree for kids to play
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- FO… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- PO… (4 letters)
- Theme word 3
- SA… (7 letters)
- Theme word 4
- SW… (6 letters)
- Theme word 5
- TR… (10 letters)
- Theme word 6
- TR… (9 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
Common term for the outdoor area behind a house where kids often play
It touched both edges, running side to side across all 6 columns.
The starting letter board
The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.
Every Strands answer and the spangram
Every answer from that board, folded. Opening one traces its path above — the spangram in gold.
Theme word 1 · 4 letters
FORT
A fort is a small, often simple, structure used for imaginative play, typically made of fabric, wood, or other materials.
Theme word 2 · 4 letters
POOL
A pool is a water feature, often used for recreational swimming and cooling off during warm weather.
Theme word 3 · 7 letters
SANDBOX
A sandbox is a container filled with sand, designed for children's creative play, often used for building and molding shapes.
Theme word 4 · 6 letters
SWINGS
Swings are suspended seats, typically found in outdoor play areas, allowing kids to play and experience motion.
Theme word 5 · 10 letters
TRAMPOLINE
A trampoline is a springy device, often used for recreational bouncing and playing, providing a fun way for kids to get exercise.
Theme word 6 · 9 letters
TREEHOUSE
A treehouse is an elevated structure built in a tree, offering kids a unique play space with a great view.
Spangram · 8 letters, side to side
BACKYARD
A backyard is the outdoor area behind a house, often used for recreation, relaxation, and play.
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1122) · Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Theme answers
- 6 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–10 letters
- Spangram
- 8 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 835 accepted for hints
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